Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 10: On the 40th day of Swami Amarnath Yatra 418 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave today.
With this, the total number of pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine in South Kashmir district of Anantnag has touched 2,19,097 since the 48 day long yatra started on July 2.
The annual Amarnath pilgrimage will culminate on August 18 i. e on Sharawan Purnima coinciding with Raksha Bandan festival when the holy mace of Lord Shiva being carried by its custodian Mahant Deepindra Giri Ji will reach cave shrine and perform darshan and participate in traditional pooja there.
The holy mace will leave from its abode Dashnami Akhara, Srinagar on August 13 and after staying at Phalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni, it will reach holy cave in the wee hours of August 18.
However, the number of yatris decreased to a great extent after the first fortnight due to Kashmir unrest and since then only 400 to 500 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave daily when earlier during first two weeks 10,000 to 15,000 pilgrims used to perform darshan in holy cave daily.
According to an official spokesman, 123 pilgrims left Chandanwari transit camp to holy cave via traditional Sheshnag Panchtarni track while 55 pilgrims returned to Nunwan after performing darshan. However, no yatri left via chopper today, he added.
The spokesman said 85 pilgrims are staying at Nunwan base camp for night.
He said 211 pilgrims left from Baltal to holy cave today while 185 reached Baltal from Jammu early this morning.
He said that weather remained cloudy on yatra tracks and it was drizzling for some time during the day also.
The spokesman said 68 pilgrims left from Bhagwati Nagar Jammu Yatri Niwas to two base camps of Baltal and Nunwan today under tight security arrangements where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
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